Aussie Maxwell sharpening his skills to bowl in powerplays during 2026 T20 World Cup
The 2026 T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka with the spin-bowling all-rounder, if fully fit, likely to be a part of the Australian side as it aims to reclaim the trophy it last won in 2021.
Maxwell has been a regular in the Indian Premier League, donning several jerseys with his most successful stints coming for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, where he has shone as a devastating batter with the ability to turn the game decisively with the ball.
Despite his bowling prowess, Maxwell has bowled only five powerplay overs in total in the shortest format between the 2022 T20 World Cup and the ongoing home series against South Africa.
But the 36-year-old feels he could come in handy in powerplay overs during the T20 World Cup as the new ball grips the subcontinent's wickets better.
"I think in the subcontinent you might be able to get a little bit more out of it (wicket) as a spinner early on," Maxwell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
"Especially that new ball, the hard seam, being able to grip on those dry surfaces. So it might be something we think about heading forward," he added.
He took two wickets in the second T20I against South Africa in Darwin, including that of skipper Aiden Markram in the fifth powerplay over.
"I love getting wickets. It's very surprising anytime I get anyone out. I'm there to do a job in the powerplay and I'm trying to execute that as well as I can," he said.
Apart from his bowling, Maxwell has been comfortable playing at any position depending upon the team's requirement.
"I've been a bit of the shuffler around the order, up and down. I'm filling holes at the moment. Even during the West Indies series, trying to combat Akeal Hosein (by) going up the top, this series (against South Africa) going a little bit lower, trying to manage that back end (of the innings).
"(I'm) trying to play whatever role is needed for me in this side and just try and be as adaptable as possible." he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Olympic medallist, sports medicine pioneer Vece Paes passes away at 80
Kolkata: Vece Paes, who passed away early on Thursday, was a rare elite sportsperson who leaves behind his mark also as a highly respected sports medicine specialist. Paes, father of tennis great Leander, had been under treatment at a city hospital since Tuesday owing to complications arising out of long-standing Parkinson's disease and age related issues. He was 80. As per a statement from the hospital, Paes was admitted "with multiorgan dysfunction due to lower respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract infections". Paes was a medical practitioner at this hospital in the 1960s. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Bengal Hockey Association officials informed that the funeral would be held on Monday, after his brother and daughters arrive from the US. The Goa-born Paes earned his medical degree at the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College in Kolkata, which subsequently became his home. The hockey midfielder achieved the high point of his career when he earned an Olympic bronze at the 1972 Munich Games as a member of the Indian team. The previous year, he was part of the team that won bronze in the Barcelona World Cup. Leander has often said that it was this bronze that motivated him to reach the heights in tennis. The senior Paes, in fact, had a significant role to play in his son's career. He relived the 1972 Olympic moment in 1996 when Leander won a bronze at the Atlanta Games. Incidentally, Paes' former wife and Leander's mother Jennifer is a former captain of the national basketball team. After he quit the game, Vece Paes became a full-time sports medicine specialist. Various organisations like the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Asian Cricket Council, the All India Football Federation and the Indian Olympic Association had involved him as a sports medicine consultant. He had also travelled with the Indian Davis Cup team as the doctor. Apart from that, he had been associated with various clubs and sports bodies from time to time, including East Bengal where he had assisted Bhaichung Bhutia among others. His work towards anti-doping awareness and education has been lauded. Apart from hockey, Paes was passionate about rugby and was also the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union from 1996 to 2002. He also played cricket and football at the divisional level. A multi-faceted personality, Paes leaves behind a legacy in Indian sport that will be forever remembered. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was among the first to send condolences on his death. "Saddened by the demise of Dr Vece Paes, member of the bronze medal winning team at the 1972 Olympic Games. His contribution to hockey and sports medicine will be remembered," she posted on X. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, former hockey players Ajit Pal Singh, BP Govinda, Viren Rasquinha, tennis ace Sania Mirza were among those who paid their tributes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Kho Kho World Cup Winners To Join PM Narendra Modi In Independence Day Celebrations At Red Fort
In a historic first for the indigenous sport, players from the Indian men's and women's Kho Kho World Cup-winning teams are set to join the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the iconic Red Fort on August 15. Notably, this year's Independence Day celebration will host around 5,000 special guests from diverse fields, including sportspersons, innovators, and community leaders. In order to celebrate the burgeoning growth of an indigenous sport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited 30 of India's best Kho Kho players, who won the maiden World Cup in January 2025 in New Delhi. The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, which was held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from January 13 to 19, saw participation from 39 teams (20 men's and 19 women's) representing 23 countries across six continents. The inclusion of Kho Kho at such a significant national gathering also highlights how the government is elevating indigenous games. Earlier, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also advocated for Kho Kho's inclusion in the Asian Games and the 2036 Olympics, calling it a "collective effort" involving players, federations, and the Sports Ministry to boost its international footprint. The celebration also aligns with India's 2036 Olympic bid and the pitch to return Kho Kho to the Games, exactly a century after its 1936 Berlin demonstration appearance. "Being invited to the Red Fort for Independence Day is one of the proudest moments of my life. Winning the World Cup earlier this year was historic for us, but this honour from the nation shows that Kho Kho is finally getting the recognition it deserves," said Pratik Waikar, a member of the World Cup-winning team. "It is a great promotion for the indigenous sport of Kho Kho. I have only seen Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations on television, and this is the first time I will attend them with my teammates. It's a great feeling," said Nirmala Bhati, a member of the World Cup-winning women's team. Congratulating the athletes, the Chairman of Administration & Organisation, Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), said, "When our players stand in honour of the National Anthem at the Red Fort, it will be a moment of pride for the entire Kho Kho fraternity. We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for recognising and honouring the 'Jaabaaz' players of Bharatiya Khel." This milestone invitation stands as a symbolic recognition of Kho Kho's growing stature in the country's sporting landscape, reinforcing the government's commitment to promoting India's indigenous sports on national and global platforms. Notably, fifteen of these 30 players will be part of the player draft of the new season of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), beginning November 29.
Deccan Herald
4 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
‘Saint' of Indian hockey wore multiple hats
A true legend of Indian sport, Vece, born in Goa in April 1945, was the bronze medallist at the 1971 World Cup and the 1972 Olympics. Interestingly, the midfielder was studying for his MBBS while he won the two major accolades.
